Poisoning

A poison is a substance that has toxic effects and may injure you or make you sick if you are exposed to it. Poisons can be found everywhere, from simple household cleaners to cosmetics to houseplants to industrial chemicals. Even medicines that are taken in the wrong dose, at the wrong time, or by the wrong person can…

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Poisoning

Topic Overview

A poison is a substance that has toxic effects and may injure you or make you sick if you are exposed to it. Poisons can be found everywhere, from simple household cleaners to cosmetics to houseplants to industrial chemicals. Even medicines that are taken in the wrong dose, at the wrong time, or by the wrong person can cause a toxic effect. Poisonous substances can hurt you if they are swallowed, inhaled, spilled on your skin, or splashed in your eyes. In most cases, any product that gives off fumes or is an aerosol that can be inhaled should be considered a possible poison. More than 90% of poisonings occur in the home.

Young children have the highest risk of poisoning because of their natural curiosity. More than half of poisonings in children occur in those who are younger than age 6. Some children will swallow just about anything, including unappetizing substances that are poisonous. When in doubt, assume the worst. Always believe a child or a witness, such as another child or a brother or sister, who reports that poison has been swallowed. Many poisonings occur when an adult who is using a poisonous product around children becomes distracted by the doorbell, a telephone, or some other interruption.

Young children are also at high risk for accidental poisoning from nonprescription and prescription medicines. Even though medicine bottles are packaged to prevent a child from opening them, be sure to keep all medicines away from where children can reach them.

Teenagers also have an increased risk of poisonings, both accidental and intentional, because of their risk-taking behavior. Some teens experiment with poisonous substances such as by sniffing toxic glues or inhaling aerosol substances to get "high." About half of all poisonings in teens are classified as suicide attempts, which always requires medical evaluation.

Symptoms of poisonings

The symptoms of a suspected poisoning may vary depending on the person's age, the type of poisonous substance, the amount of poison involved, and how much time has passed since the poisoning occurred. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include:

Nausea and vomiting.

Cramps.

Throat pain.

Drooling.

Sudden sleepiness, confusion, or decreased alertness.

Anxiousness, nervousness, irritability, or tremors.

Seizures.

Substance residue or burn around the mouth, teeth, eyes, or on the skin.

Trouble breathing.

Headache.

Poison control centers, hospitals, or your doctor can give immediate advice in the case of a poisoning. The United StatesNational Poison Control Hotline phone number is1-800-222-1222. Have the poison container with you so you can give complete information to the poison control center, such as what the poison or substance is, how much was taken and when. Do not try to make the person vomit.

Check Your Symptoms

Do you have a concern about a possible poisoning or a poisonous substance?

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Concern about a possible poisoning

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Concern about a possible poisoning

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Less than 12 years

Less than 12 years

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12 years or older

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If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.

After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or lightheaded when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do.

Seek Care Today

Home Treatment

First aid home treatment measures for suspected poisoning

Call a poison control center, hospital, or doctor immediately. The United States National Poison Control Hotline phone number is 1-800-222-1222. Have the poison container with you so you can give complete information to the poison control center. Do not try to make the person vomit.

The poison control center will be able to help you quickly if you have the following information ready:

Your name and phone number

The name, age, weight, and health status of the person who has been poisoned

Type of product. Read the brand name as it is written on the label. Include the list of ingredients and the company name and contact number, if it is available on the label.

Amount of product involved in poisoning

Type of poison exposure—swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with the eyes or skin

Time of poisoning

Whether the person vomited

Any first aid measures taken

Your location and how far you are from an emergency medical facility

If the poison control center recommends medical evaluation, take the product container or substance and any stomach contents that the person vomited to help doctors determine the seriousness of the poisoning.

Do not use syrup of ipecac. It is no longer used to treat poisonings. If you have syrup of ipecac in your home, call your pharmacist for instructions on how to dispose of it and throw away the container. Do not store anything else in the container.

Activated charcoal is also not used at home to treat poisonings.

The poison control center has guidelines on what treatments are needed for all types of poisons.

If a poisoning was intentional, first get help as described above. Then call your local suicide hotline or the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) for more help and advice.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Follow the instructions you received from your doctor or the poison control center about seeking medical evaluation. Call your doctor if any of the following occurs during home treatment:

New symptoms develop.

Symptoms do not go away as expected.

Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.

Prevention

About 80% of poisonings occur in children ages 1 to 4 years. Develop poison prevention habits early, before your child is crawling. Babies grow so fast that sometimes they are crawling and walking before you have time to protect them.

General tips

Never leave a poisonous product unattended around children, even for a moment. Many poisonings occur when an adult who is using a poisonous product becomes distracted by the doorbell, a telephone, or some other interruption.

Be aware of common substances that are poisonous, such as houseplants and cosmetics.

Use childproof latches on your cupboards.

Keep products in their original containers. Never store poisonous products in food containers.

Never leave alcohol within sight or reach of a child.

Read product labels for caution statements, how to use the product correctly, and first aid instructions.

Keep the number of your local poison control center near your phone.

Household poisons

Do not keep poisons such as drain cleaner, oven cleaner, or plant food under your kitchen sink. Keep them out of the sight and reach of children. Dishwasher detergent is especially dangerous.

Have your home tested for levels of lead if any older leaded paints may still be present. For more information, see the topic Lead Poisoning.

Some house or garden plants and the chemicals used to care for them (such as fertilizers) can be poisonous if ingested. Be sure to teach your children not to play with them.

Alcohol

Keep alcohol out of the sight and reach of children.

Educate your children about the effects of alcohol and medicines. Encourage your teenager to avoid alcohol and drugs.

Provide nonalcoholic beverages at parties and meals. Don't give your children the impression that adults need to drink alcohol in order to have a good time.

Medicines

Put all medicines and vitamins out of the sight and reach of children. Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is a common source of childhood poisoning.

Never call medicines "candy."

Keep medicines in their original labeled containers.

Buy nonprescription medicines in child-resistant packages.

Try to take medicines out of the sight of children.

Check the label on the bottle each time you take a medicine to make sure you're taking the correct one.

Check the expiration dates on medicines. If your medicines are expired or no longer needed, you can read tips about how to dispose of them or you can call your pharmacist for instructions.

Topic Contents

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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